35 goals scored today, according to Fox Soccer it's the most goals scored in a single day in EPL history. 23 of the goals were scored by Arsenal, City, Newcastle, Stoke, Southampton and Norwich.

I watched probably 50 minutes of the Man U-West Brom match and the Red Devils looked like they were lucky to get 3 points as their 2nd came when Foster was unbeatable and West Brom were the more likely to score in the second half.

Arsenal and Newcastle can be described with two simple coments, for 70 minutes neither team played defense, the last 20 minutes only Arsenal played defense. Walcott scored a hat trick in his 3rd game at the front and Giroud came off the bench to bag a brace and the crossbar denied him of his first Arsenal hat trick. potential-Arsenal signing Demba Ba had his own brace, his first taking an extremely fortunate deflection off of Wilshere's head, thank god he didn't die, and Marveaux scored his first EPL goal. The other Arsenal scorers were The Ox and Podolski, who's goal came when it seemed like the ball hung on the crossbar waiting for him.

Uncle Si wrote:Walcotts third (which is eloquently displayedin Gates post) was a pure class. Love the kid, wish Liverpool would press for him while hes unsettled (or unsigned atleast)

Watched the last 25 of the Arsenal game... I mean it was beautiful to watch the ball fly in the net so often, but Newcastle should be ashamed.

I completely forgot to mention about how he scored his 3rd goal when I typed that. Also you probably shouldn't be saying he's unsettled cause there's absolutely nothing to suggest that he is, unless there's something behind the scenes nobody's seeing. If not for Cameron Jerome's strike that could easily have been Goal of the Week. It actually reminded me of his goal against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last year.

And Newcastle should be incredibly embarrassed, it's completely pointless to make an excuse like how Arsenal didn't play on Boxing Day so they were more rested. It was inexcusable how they defended, Demba Ba and Marveaux played really good and the defense ruined it for them.

Kind of a lucky point for Arsenal, Southampton is certainly not the same team that got kicked around like ragdolls back in September. Both teams had goals disallowed and the Saints gave Arsenal headaches in defense and threatened to take all 3 multiple times in the last 5-10 minutes. Should have done better in the midfield and it was difficult to get the ball back from them especially in the final 3rd. Should be a confidence boost for Southampton and a tough hit to Arsenal, who need to stop this roller coaster form.

Gatehawk wrote:Kind of a lucky point for Arsenal, Southampton is certainly not the same team that got kicked around like ragdolls back in September. Both teams had goals disallowed and the Saints gave Arsenal headaches in defense and threatened to take all 3 multiple times in the last 5-10 minutes. Should have done better in the midfield and it was difficult to get the ball back from them especially in the final 3rd. Should be a confidence boost for Southampton and a tough hit to Arsenal, who need to stop this roller coaster form.

Roller coaster form seems to be the theme for a lot of teams in the PL this season, Gate.

peachesenregalia wrote:Roller coaster form seems to be the theme for a lot of teams in the PL this season, Gate.

For Arsenal it's a bit of a different kind of Roller Coaster form. most teams are roller coaster in their results, whereas Arsenal just seem to show up as a different team for every single game and appear to win, lose or draw in the most random and baffling of ways.

Its really strange. I would be surprised if Arsenal meet the wage demands for Walcott but wouldn't for RvP.

But here Wenger is now placating Walcotts positional demands despite its impact on the rest of the line up (not going to argue this with you Gate, Walcott at central striker on Arsenal is not an efficient use of the entire squad, as evident today). But Wenger continues to appease Walcott and may get him resigned. Stange situation all together

Liverpool don't have the squad to see off matches like the Villa one yet. The stoke game is another matter. We honesrly need three starters in. Sturridge will be one, borinis return will help. But we can't rely on sterling to shoulder the wing all season. but a true cam, left back and winger are in need. Hoped walcott would fit that role, push sturridge out wide, borini to cf and suarez underneath. Unlikely though.

Uncle Si wrote:Liverpool don't have the squad to see off matches like the Villa one yet. The stoke game is another matter. We honesrly need three starters in. Sturridge will be one, borinis return will help. But we can't rely on sterling to shoulder the wing all season. but a true cam, left back and winger are in need. Hoped walcott would fit that role, push sturridge out wide, borini to cf and suarez underneath. Unlikely though.

Would like Holtby.

If the Talksport rumor about Walcott does have any weight then it's highly unlikely, I agree with you there. I do think Holtby would be a great signing for anyone, weather or not he puts aside his love of Everton to play for their rivals is a whole other matter.

I have, for my sins, listened to a fair amount of Talksport over the last few years. They are good at breaking news but pretty poor at speculating about transfers and deals. I'm not saying that about Walcott getting re-upped at Arsenal necessarily, but , like The Sun and Daily Mail, I wouldn't go placing bets based on their 'sources'.

I haven't managed to the see any football (asides from the Seahawks and a few other NFL games) in the past few weeks but am obviously pleased with Spurs' results. Bring on a mid and a striker in January, be it Moutinho, Erikson, Holtby, Wilian, Leandro.... we need more depth if we're going to keep it up.

Last edited by Hawkspur on Wed Jan 02, 2013 1:07 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Hawkspur wrote:While he may possibly be the most talented player in the league he definitely has the most punchable face.

I dunno....You don't think Wayne Rooney could get a dig in the chops?

It's tough to separate them, I admit. Wayne certainly sports a look that invites a slap upside his head.

Gareth Bale for me...

great result for Liverpool this evening. well played, and Suarez once again dominant. Hitting a nice stretch of form now (just in time for United). taken with Chelsea a great night, could have been better if Everton had dropped points.

peaches, not broken up about Ba. seems a risk for a team in our position. Chelsea can afford the dump if he gets hurt.

Suarez has elevated himself to the most dangerous player in the PL and top 4-5 players in the world. "Reputation" is subjective and watching the media start supporting him and recognizing his brilliance, fortitude and strength has been a pleasant reprieve. He starts diving again and its back to 3 months ago. But for now he deserves the credit for overcoming the pressures (and most PL defenses)

Was an interesting young prospect and seems to have some ability, but I personally don't rate him as more than a squad player.

Ince is a young pacey winger, much in the same mold as Sterling (not as technical) and Assaidi (not as fast). Has a good scoring record with Blackpool. He's a nice squad player. with the addition of Sturridge (which I'm excited about) the resurgence of Downing and the soon returning Borini we have nice depth at the position. Adding Ince let's us give Sterling more breaks and allows us to play Suso in the midfield, where he belongs. Be a good move, and we get 35% off the transfer fee so any proposed fee will be that much less if agreed.

Losing Cole reduces the wage bill considerably for the summer. I think Rodgers is satisfied with the squad adding sturridge and ince. Look for a couple bigger buys this summer, or maybe pre contract for Holtby?